Orange County’s 30 largest restaurant chains grew sales 3.4% to surpass $14 billion in systemwide sales last year, reflecting an industry trend of modest overall improvements as the economic recovery continues.
This week’s Business Journal list of the biggest restaurant chains based here ranks them by systemwide sales for 2013. The rankings are based on information provided by the companies, data from Chicago-based industry researcher Technomic Inc., and Business Journal estimates.
One-third of the chains—10—are listed with sales gains. Five had declines, one stayed flat, and 14 were estimated as flat.
Two chains—Fullerton-based Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt and Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar of Huntington Beach—joined the list this year.
More than half of the sales on the list—$7.8 billion—come from one company: Irvine-based Taco Bell Corp.
It easily retains the top spot on the list, with 10 times the total sales of its nearest challenger, BJ’s Restaurants Inc. in Huntington Beach. BJ’s posted a 9.4% increase to $775.1 million.
There were some trade-offs on positions among the top 10 chains.
El Pollo, Del Taco
• El Pollo Loco Inc. switched spots with Lake Forest-based Del Taco LLC, moving from No. 4 to No. 3.
Both companies increased sales in 2013—El Pollo notched an 8.3% gain to $657.6 million in systemwide sales, and Del Taco’s revenue rose 2.4% to $622.4 million.
Both also made news on other fronts last week: El Pollo’s parent, Costa Mesa-based El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc., filed for a $100 million initial public offering last week, shortly before reports surfaced that Del Taco could be up for sale (see related story, page 1).
• Irvine-based Yard House USA Inc. (No. 6) and Aliso Viejo-based Johnny Rockets Group Inc. (No. 8) each rose two slots in the top 10.
Yard House grew sales 17.5% to $370.1 million, while Johnny Rockets saw a 6.4% gain to reach $316 million.
Johnny Rockets has targeted international markets for growth and now has a third of its locations overseas.
• The other companies in the top 10—Sizzler USA Inc. in Mission Viejo, Irvine-based Mimi’s Cafe and Real Mex Restaurants Inc. in Cypress—each had dips in sales and lower rankings than a year earlier.
The biggest sales jump on the list belongs to Irvine-based Habit Restaurants LLC, up nearly 40% to $117.8 million in systemwide sales last year.
It leapt four spots, from No. 20 to 16.
Vice President of Marketing Mike Mirkil said the rapid results stem from offering grilled “fast casual” burgers at a lower price—even the double burger is under $4.50, he said.
And Habit adds grilled sandwiches and salads and unique menu items like tempura green beans, he said.
“As they say, ‘value never goes out of style,’ ” Mirkil said in an email.
Habit signed deals last month to bring the chain into Seattle and Las Vegas starting next year with 25 and 15 locations, respectively.
It plans to get into the East Coast market this summer with a company-owned store in New Jersey.
It reported 90 restaurant locations systemwide, up from 68 last year, with 11 in Orange County.
Frozen Yogurt Businesses
Frozen yogurt is still strong locally.
• Newcomer Tutti Frutti (No. 23) joined Rancho Santa Margarita-based Golden Spoon Franchising Inc. (No. 27), and Irvine-based Yogurtland Franchising Inc. (No. 14).
Yogurtland sales soared 27.4% to $143 million last year.
Three pizza chains on the list reported stable-to-stale results.
• San Clemente-based Oggi’s Pizza and Brewing Co. (No. 29), Newport Beach-
based zpizza (No. 28), and John’s Incredible Pizza Co. in Rancho Santa Margarita (No. 25) showed no growth or marginally lower sales.